21 lives saved last year by Causeway organ donors

Within the Northern Trust last year there were seven organ donors, four of which were conducted by the Causeway Hospital here in Coleraine.

Sadly in Northern Ireland every year 15 people die waiting on an organ.

Statistics also reveal that only 32 percent of the population in Northern Ireland are on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

A special event to commemorate those who have donated organs, and to showcase the excellent work that the Causeway Hospital does with regards to harvesting these organs will be held later this Autumn.

At this event, Coleraine Borough Council will unveil a seat in the hospital’s gardens to commemorate the local people who have donated organs.

The event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 15, when representatives from the Trust, Council and the Northern Ireland Transplant Association will be in attendance.

More importantly, the families of the local donors, transplant patients and their families will also be in attendance.

Members attending last Tuesday’s Council meeting were given details about the event and asked to agree on funding for the commemorative seat.

SDLP councillor Stephanie Quigley, who worked in the health service for many years proposed that members should agree on the proposal. She told the meeting: “This will be a very special event.

“There is no greater gift than the gift of life.”

The proposal was seconded by Deputy Mayor, Alliance councillor Yvonne Boyle.